Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupt concert

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupted a concert by an Israeli string quartet at the Edinburgh International Festival.

The audience and the festival director called on the protesters, who interrupted the Jerusalem Quartet several times, to let the performance continue. Police arrested the demonstrators.

“I was moved by the commitment to their artistry demonstrated by the Jerusalem Quartet in performing their entire program, and in doing so they were rewarded with a rare and very well-deserved standing ovation,” festival director Jonathan Mills said after the concert.

Prior to the Aug. 29 concert, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters staged a peaceful demonstration outside Queen’s Hall in the center of Edinburgh, accusing the musicians of being partners to crime.

Jackie Westbrook, a festival spokeswoman, said this year’s festival’s theme was “artists without borders” and that the program included “works and artists from Israel and artists from Jewish and Arabic cultures.”